Katelyn lay on her side, breathing slow deep breaths, trying to stay calm as another pain wracked her body. Crying out, she gritted her teeth, trying to hold on through it. Carol sat at the side of her bed, holding her hand as the Major returned, calling out to make sure it was okay to enter.
"Knock Knock." He said, waiting until someone told him to enter.
Brittany pulled the curtain back and stepped to the side so he could come in.
"How's she doing?" He asked, looking at the expression of agony on her face. He smiled sympathetically at her and sat down next to her bed.
"She's got strong contractions and they're coming much quicker than we expected but she's not ready to push yet. The doc thinks it'll be another hour or two." Carol said quietly as Katelyn closed her eyes after the contraction passed.
"She looks pale." He said, worrying that she wasn't doing well.
"She's doin' just fine." Brittany assured him, though the worried expression on her face gave it away.
Grabbing a damp cloth, he wiped her face, cooling her off and waited for her to open her eyes. It didn't take long before she looked straight at him.
"Daryl?" She asked, in a whisper that was barely audible.
Right then, the doctor entered and Jackson looked at her. She shook her head at him, as if to say; don't upset her, so he lied.
"I talked to Daryl and Rick. They're fine and they're on their way home." He said, hating the fact that he was lying to her but knowing that it might be the only thing that kept her going.
Katelyn started crying. They were happy tears but he could see how exhausted and terrified she was.
"You get some rest, okay?" He told her. "That's an order."
She smiled, but it soon turned to a grimace when another contraction hit her. The Major reached out and took her hand, letting her squeeze it for all she was worth, but he could tell that she was weak and started to worry.
After the contraction passed, he stepped outside of the medical tent, motioning for Grace to follow him.
"How is she really?" He asked.
"Not good. She's weak and the baby hasn't turned yet. The labor's hard but she isn't effectively dilating or effacing. It's possible that this baby will need to be C-section." She said in hushed tones.
"How long before you make that call?" He asked.
"I don't know yet. She hasn't been in labor that long yet and its already hard, so I'm gonna play it by ear." Grace said.
"What can I do to help?" He asked, not wanting to intrude on such a private moment, but afraid that they'd lose her if he didn't. He'd never been good at feeling helpless.
"The best thing you can do is get Daryl here." She said quietly.
Major Jackson sighed sadly. He didn't know what he could do to get Daryl here, but if he could…he would.
The Major turned to leave, but the doctor stopped him.
"Why do you care so much?" She asked.
". I couldn't be there for my wife and I know she'd want me to help if I could. I owe it to her." He said sadly, looking down at his feet.
"You're a good man, Major. Your wife would be proud." She told him, smiling and touching his arm.
Blinking back tears, he walked toward the fenced off backyard of the school. Looking both ways, he realized no one was there so he took off running for the helicopter that sat quietly in the center of the yard. Grabbing the straps, he unhooked the machine and climbed in.
He hadn't done this in a year now, but like riding a bike, he quickly remembered. Firing up the engine, the Major lifted off the ground just as men were running out to see what was happening.
Jackson looked down and saluted the men who watched him leave.
#############################################################################
It was the slowest 3 hours he'd ever driven. Rick was quiet most of the way and Daryl was thinking about Katelyn. About an hour ago, he started getting an awful feeling that something was wrong and the longer it took, the more panicky he was getting. He never should have come. He should have stayed with Katelyn.
At the time, it had seemed like a good idea. He thought he'd be of more use if he could make the world safer for his family. He didn't want Katelyn or their child living in a world where men like Breed threatened their lives. He had felt the overwhelming need to make it safe for them.
He didn't realize that all Katelyn wanted was him. That she'd be fine as long as they were together. He knew she understood why he went, but still, he doubted his reasons. He should be there, with Katelyn.
And now, he knew something was wrong.
Both Rick and Daryl heard it at the same time, turning their heads to the side as they tried to figure out what the sound was. Daryl rolled down his window so he could hear better. As he did so, he saw a black dot on the horizon coming closer.
"Shit!" Daryl swore.
"What is it?" Rick asked desperately.
Daryl squinted trying to figure out what it was. That's when its shape became obvious and a sinking feeling hit Daryl in the stomach.
"It's a helicopter." Daryl said quietly.
"It can't be Breed's men, right?" Rick stated, then questioned as he became uncertain.
Daryl continued to watch as it headed straight for them.
"I don't know but it's coming this way." Daryl said.
"Wait. It's coming from the wrong direction to be Breed." Rick shouted happily.
The helicopter was now hovering in front of them, setting down up ahead as the caravan came to a halt.
"It's Major Reese." Daryl said breathlessly, as dread filled him.
He climbed out of the Humvee, holding his hand up to guard his eyes from the dust that was flung about in the air, waiting for the Major to reach him.
"It's Kate. She's in labor." Reese explained as he jogged over to him.
Afraid to move, he just stared at the Major in shock.
Rick put his hand on Daryl's arm.
"Go on then." Rick told Daryl who turned to look at Rick with mouth agape.
The Major smiled at Daryl's shock.
"Come on. Let's get you home." The Major patted his arm and motioned for him to follow.